Tips & How-Tos

How to paint with exterior paint

The prime coat should now be dry. All preparations have been completed. Prior to painting make sure to have enough paint "boxed" (multiple cans mixed together to ensure color consistency) to complete an entire section.

1. Mix the paint thoroughly. Always stir before and during use.

2. Load your brush with paint. Immerse the first 1/3 of the bristles into the paint and tap the brush lightly side-to-side against the inside of the can. Do not drag the bristles across the lip of the can; this will rob your brush of half its paint carrying capacity.

3. When applying with a brush, use long, smooth strokes. Oil-based house paint should be brushed back and forth several times for a well spread, even coat. If paint gathers along the horixontal edge of the clapboard, paint is being applied too heavily or is not being adequately brushed out. Latex paints do not require much brushing. These paints dry quickly, and excessive brushing will cut deep brush marks permanently into the paint film. When using latex, apply paint generously, give it one or two back strokes and leave it to dry.

4. Using a roller. Roller application works well for porous surfaces such as masonry and stucco. Dip roller in paint tray and roll back and forth to remove excess paint. If it drips when picked up, it is overloaded. A roller is ideal for flat surfaces, but will not fit into inside corners and will deposit too much paint on edges of outer corners. Apply paint to those areas with a brush to ensure good coverage. Use long even strokes, rolling in different directions to coat the entire surface. Finish off with strokes in one direction.

5. Finish with the trim. Paint trim area last. Shutters can be removed, painted, and re-hung when the job is completed. Coat window sash and door paneling first, then paint the window frames, sills and door trim. Any paint on the putty line of the window will serve to protect the puttied surface from water. Excess paint can be scraped off with a razor blade to create a clean edge.

Source: Benjamin Moore 2002